Reign of the Hunters

g that could cloud an individual’s judgement.
The enraged Ciel began channeling a spell.
He was attempting to further empower the Iron Warrior with the Gem of Life. 

Ye Ci relayed the information to Fleeting Time as she crept slowly towards Llaesnyffan’s coffin. 

It took Ye Ci two full minutes to cross the 10 yards between her and the coffin.
Her heart was in her mouth and her gaze was fixated on Ciel as she advanced slowly.
She immediately tumbled behind the coffin and concealed herself when she was a safe distance away.
Just then, Ciel turned around, detecting the lurking danger behind him.
When he found nothing after studying his surroundings for a long moment, Ciel’s attention shifted once again to Fleeting Time. 

Ye Ci stood up and extended a hand towards the coffin, and a smile formed on her face.
The unlidded coffin was not protected by any forms of barrier, and Llaesnyffan was easily within her reach. 

She lowered her head and stared at Llaesnyffan.
She was a very beautiful girl, but her skin was sickly pale due to her death.
 She studied the coffin for any magical runes and then poked at Llaesnyffan’s arm with a finger.
When nothing happened despite her actions, Ye Ci was sure that Llaesnyffan was stored in the coffin without any forms of protection. 

With such a knowledge in mind, Ye Ci took in a deep breath and lifted Llaesnyffan’s corpse after muttering an apology to the beautiful Drow.
She then chuckled at Ciel. 

Ye Ci’s chuckle was soft, but it was a very terrifying sound for Ciel.
He immediately faced Ye Ci and the Gem of Life glowed with the crackling of energy as he pointed his scepter at her. 

Fear was actually present in Ye Ci’s heart.
All would be lost if Llaesnyffan was not as important as what was mentioned in the quest description.
Was her action a foolish one? 

 “Hello, Your Majesty.
We meet again.” said Ye Ci with a smile despite the fear she harbored in her heart. 

Ciel was momentarily stunned before realisation dawned upon him, “You’ve deceived me! I’ll kill you!” screamed the Goblin king as the glow of the Gem of Life intensified. 

Ye Ci ignored Ciel’s threat and placed her short sword on Llaesnyffan’s throat, “Your Majesty, do you think that your spell is faster than my sword?” 

“You damned Elf! I’ll kill you!” screamed Ciel as he began channeling a spell. 

The smile remained on Ye Ci’s face as the blade of her sword sliced open the skin on Llaesnyffan’s neck.
Of course, no blood flowed from the dead Drow’s neck, but the cut that Ye Ci made had exposed the flesh under the skin, “Your Majesty, I’m sure you know that you’ll never be able to revive a being with its head cut off, even when you’re in possession of its soul…” 

“No! Stop it! Stop it at once!” Ciel was terrified when he saw the wound on Llaesnyffan’s neck.
He immediately stopped the spell and screamed at Ye Ci, “Oh, good Elf, I beg of you! Please, stop it!” 

Ye Ci let out a sigh of relief.
Her gamble had paid off.
Despite De’frei’s statement that Ciel was in love with Llaesnyffan, there was still doubt in Ye Ci’s mind.
Ciel was a king while Llaesnyffan was nothing but a beautiful girl.
Was the love between the two true love between a man and a woman, or merely the affection shown by an aloof ruler towards his pet. 

She finally realised from Ciel’s reaction that the king truly loved Llaesnyffan even when they were not members of the same race. 

Despite his madness, Ciel’s decision to abandon the entire kingdom to ruin for the sake of Llaesnyffan was a sign of true love. 

“What do you want? I’ll fulfill your demands as long as you don’t harm Llaesnyffan.” Ciel was reduced to begging for Ye Ci’s in a very pitiful manner. 

Ye Ci stole at glance at the ongoing battle not far away.
The Iron Warrior was no longer functioning at full capacity.
The mighty machine was slowing down, and smoke began to rose from its massive body.
It was apparent that the Iron Warrior shall be defeated soon. 

“Give me your scepter.” said Ye Ci after looking at the quest description.
The duo had to defeat the Iron Warrior and acquire the scepter. 

“No, I can’t.
This is a very important treasure to the Goblin kingdom.
I can’t hand it to a member of another race.” it was apparent that Ciel retained some of his pride as a king. 

“Your Majesty, Vo’sok is gone.
The races that walk this earth no longer recognize the Goblins as a proper race.
Why are you still holding on to the scepter? Just listen to me.
If you hand me the scepter, I’ll return Llaesnyffan to you.” 

“No…” despite his protest, Ye Ci could tell that Ciel’s resolve was shaken. 

“Your Majesty, the palace is about to collapse.
Don’t you know that Vo’sok will crumble along with the palace? Why are you not willing to let go of the scepter? At this point, you’re not handing over your authority, but proving your true love.
Are you going to abandon your loved one at a time like this?” Ye Ci’s voice was soft. 

“B-but…” 

“Come, hand me the scepter.” Ye Ci extended an arm towards Ciel while tightening her grip on Llaesnyffan’s throat with her free hand. 

“Llaesnyffan… Oh, my beloved Llaesnyffan…” muttered Ciel as he stared at the beautiful Drow and then at Ye Ci.
He even had the illusion that his loved one is alive.
The Goblin king began to walk up to Ye Ci with the scepter. 

“Hold still, and toss the scepter over.” Ciel was a danger as long as the scepter was still in his hands. 

The king of Goblins immediately halted and tossed the scepter at Ye Ci.
The scepter soared across the air in a graceful arc, and landed…

Right into Ye Ci’s hand.